Rebecca Zhao is a postdoctoral fellow in the Faculty of Health at the University of Victoria. Her research examines how participatory arts-based approaches can support mental health research among Asian diaspora. Drawing on participatory visual methods, narrative inquiry, and integrated knowledge translation, her work explores how community storytelling can deepen understanding of intergenerational trauma, resilience, and belonging while informing more equitable mental health practices.
Rebecca completed her PhD in Family Medicine and Primary Care at McGill University, where she developed and evaluated comics creation workshops to explore intergenerational trauma among Chinese diaspora. Her research has resulted in peer-reviewed publications, national and international conference presentations, and collaborations with community organizations, museums, and clinicians. As an emerging independent researcher, she aims to build sustainable partnerships that bridge community knowledge and health systems to improve culturally responsive mental health research, policy, and practice.
